The principal image of Buddha of Saidaiji Temple. This statue was created in 1249 at the wish of Eison Shonin (Saint Eison), a high ranking priest of the Shingon Ritsu school of the Japanese Buddhism, who restored Saidaiji in the Kamakura period. Made of wood. Height 167.0cm. Its model was Shaka Nyorai Ryuzo enshrined at Seiryoji Temple in Kyoto. In forming the Inso (Mudra) (Symbolic Buddhist sign), the right hand is taking the form of Semui-in (Mudra for bestowing fearlessness) and the left hand is taking the form of Yogan-in (Wish-granting mudra). The Seiryoji style of Buddhist image sculpture became prevailing from the late Heian period, and it was followed by this statue also. However, its face was changed to softer expression as a whole than the one at Seiryoji, making the impression calm and moderate. It reflects a strong aesthetic taste of Zenkei, a sculptor of Buddhist statues, who carved this statue. The pedestal is made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) in lotus pattern, neither colored nor gilded.